Tamayo sees approval of fake news ordinance

SPREADING of malicious, fake news will soon be a crime in Dagupan City.

In the fourth and final public hearing of the Committee on Peace and Order, chaired by Councilor Joey Netu Tamayo, media practitioners, P/Superintendent Franklin Ortiz, city police chief, and the regions’ PNP Anti-Cyber Crime Office participated and reacted to the proposed ordinance that will penalize the spreading, reporting and/or publishing of fake news and misinformation in the City.

Tamayo told the hearing that there are things that need to be protected like the dignity of a person and the city, in particular.

He cited the fake news about a bombing incident at the Paseo de Belen where seven reportedly died.

He said while there was no element of libel, the fake news ordinance will punish those responsible.

Tamayo said the proposed ordinance is scheduled for second reading this week and he’s ready to report to the plenary and hopefully, he added, will be approved as an ordinance by next week. (Nora Dominguez)